Buyer Loyalty Discounts

I agree with you, I think cgt should give some kind of advantage to sellers that participate. Being able to only shop with the discount,from sellers that participate, is fair.

Also I think 30% is too much, cgt should give some options to sellers like choose 10% 20% or 30% and the possibility to apply that separately to each model, I don't mind 30% to my old models that I already sold 10 times but I don't want this much for my brand new ones.

@Limonadinis and Hend Z

I think you need to get some other things in consideration as well.

The seller that participates gets highlighted and higher in search results, he can also occasionally be selected for online advertising, so that probably gets him in all mailboxes contained in CGt database.

That are some benefits potentially leading to more sales for that given seller?

Isn't it fair that has some price?

Holding this in regard we can turn the table around and argue that those hoe doe not participate get some disadvantage because of getting lower ranking from those hoe pay to get on top.

If the not participating sellers afterwards "may" get little benefit from some client using his points to buy something with some discount that CGt averages out with the accumulated revenue, then that would probably help to not get frustrated about this system for them ?

I would say then there's some nice balancing out (benefits)for everyone in this way?

Also in the mail there is being mentioned that in reality the price for the opted in seller is around 13% and can result in up to 30% discount on a next purchase for a loyal buyer, so that seems to me like CGt participates in the expenses (also in part using revenue accumulated from sellers not opted in)?

Also I'm not completely agreeing with Hend Z hoe argues the opt inners get all the benefits because then we eventually all have to get in and then CGt just got more expensive for everyone while no one actually benefits?

I'm convinced CGt is thinking this well through and keeps things balanced out in order to maximize benefits for everyone?

@iterateCGI

I'm not saying that the participants should get all the advantages, but it seems fair to me, that this program and the discounts should concern only the participants. What I mean is the buyer get credits only if he/she buy from the participants (cgt mention in each product page if the model get you credit points or not). This incite buyers to look for participants models.

[quote]
The seller that participates gets highlighted and higher in search results, he can also occasionally be selected for online advertising, so that probably gets him in all mailboxes contained in CGt database.
That are some benefits potentially leading to more sales for that given seller?
Isn't it fair that has some price?
Holding this in regard we can turn the table around and argue that those hoe doe not participate get some disadvantage because of getting lower ranking from those hoe pay to get on top.
[/quote]
Isn't all that is based on pure speculation? How can you be sure that participant's models gets higher ranking than non participant's? I often observe top models page and didn't notice any signs that models that participate in buyers engagement system would show higher in list during sales. As for promotional newsletters, how many of those did you receive lately from CGT? Personally i can't remember single one newsletter with promotional models.

[quote]
If the not participating sellers afterwards "may" get little benefit from some client using his points to buy something with some discount that CGt averages out with the accumulated revenue, then that would probably help to not get frustrated about this system for them ?
I would say then there's some nice balancing out (benefits)for everyone in this way?
[/quote]
I don't think so. If everyone will be free to choose whether to participate or not, then there's no reason for frustration.

[quote]
Also in the mail there is being mentioned that in reality the price for the opted in seller is around 13% and can result in up to 30% discount on a next purchase for a loyal buyer, so that seems to me like CGt participates in the expenses (also in part using revenue accumulated from sellers not opted in)?
[/quote]
That is an estimation, not a reality. Let's wait and see how (in)accurate it is. Anyway, i find it hard to see how that shows participation from CGT side in any way. Care to explain a bit more?

Just to be clare, i'm not complaining or criticizing, i just want more clarity on this matter. Preferably from CGT team themselves, but any discussions on this topic is more than welcome.

Hi everyone,

Nice to see you already in discussions about this program! Let me join in with a few points of discussion that definitely need clarity:
"am I right thinking that buyers will get loyalty credits even if they buy models from sellers that do not participate in said program?"
- No. Buyers will only get credits - and will only be able to use credits for models that will be in BLD program.

"if buyer will get rewards not by being loyal to specific seller, but to CGT platform, why sellers alone will have to cover all expences? Wouldn't it be fair to share discount burden between seller and CGT?"
- Well, first point is that CGT will take a bit of a less royalties from sellers (e.g. calculating royalties after the discounts are applied will mean CGT will take lesser cut from sellers expenses). Second point in this method is that it should help out with sort of a deflation - or undercutting we're having in 3D business.

"will there be clearly visible distinction between those who participate in BLD and those who don't?"
- Yes, similar to the sale-off's we've had. Additional filter for BLD assets in search page, as well as other clear indications about those items will be shown.

"In FAQ is mentioned that one can opt-out of buyer engagement system if he's not willing to participate in BLD and opt-in during sales. only, I wonder if that is a smartest way to get most benefit from increased traffic, yet minimize possible loss?"
- Having everyone "opt-in" without their knowledge or free will wouldn't be the nicest move from CGT team, would it? :) We'll definitely wait and see, as well as monitor the increased traffic and the impact of BLD program - we definitely believe the designers will do the same thing. :)

"Isn't all that is based on pure speculation? How can you be sure that participant's models gets higher ranking than non participant's?"
- There will be clear indications about models that are participating in BLD program (a bit was mentioned above). Also, buyers will benefit more from the models that will be in BLD. Still, we do not want to COMPLETELY disregard the designers who choose to keep out of this program, so we will not rush in with a quick and thoughtless decision of overstepping those who do not choose to opt-out.

"Personally i can't remember single one newsletter with promotional models."
- That's because The seller's digest that you receive is dedicated to be more informative for designers :) promotional newsletters reach buyers and downloaders of different categories.

Thank you eduardas for very informative answers to my questions! I do not agree with you about that CGT is taking their part in sharing loss by getting lower commissions, but everything else seems pretty clear and fair for me now. I feel more confident in taking decission whether to participate in that program or not :]

limonadinis, why you don't agree CGT will share the loss with the designer? It is simple arithmetic: if a model gets 30% discount and then CGT and designer will be sharing the remainder, it means both sides will get 30% lower income.

Well, obviously you will get lower amount of money, but your percentage remains the same and that is what really matters. According to your logic, you could say that you also share discount even when designer sets it manually. I know, marketing people always tries to trick their customers by playing with numbers, but if you look at percentage it tells you another story. Your share remains the same.

Anyway, i'm not going to argue much on this subject, because your royalty rate is one of the best on the market and if you take into account amount of traffic and sales that CGT generates, it's clear that you're offering best value for the money. There's not much to complain about, i just don't like those little marketing tricks, but i guess it's inevitable :]

As for BLD, i think i will participate in it for a while and then try to see if it benefits me. Your mass sales initiative prooved itself to be quite successful, i hope BLD won't disappoint as well.

At the moment i have 5 credits, and i wont use them, coz i don't buy 3d models. And that red circle with 5 number is annoying, and it will be forever there :(
As seller, when i see red stuff in right top corner, automatically i think there is some like for model or even sale, but now entering site i see red stuff and some kind disappointed at the moment.

@eduardas

I'm a little confused, in your first reply, you said
" - No. Buyers will only get credits - and will only be able to use credits for models that will be in BLD program."

But in the CGTrader Loyalty Discounts page, it says

"CGTrader Credits are calculated and added to your profile from every order you make on CGTrader. This means that with every order you get a percentage (or a minimum of 5 credits) back of the money spent."

Does that mean buyers will get credits from sellers that are not in the program, to get discounts from sellers in the program?

Hi, it seems to me that the credit points will get very common. But here are my fears as a designer:

1. Artists who sell cheaper models (like me: 10-40 dollar range) will probably get all the prices permantently reduced by 30% in this system. Are we sure that the increased traffic will make it up?
2. Designers might start increasing the prices to cover for the discounts, which may repell new buyers without any points.
3. Aren't we getting the buyers accustomed to lower prices and special discounts? Amount of people sending me offers for even 10% of the model value has increased since the sales started.

Maybe I am missing the bigger picture a bit, but I would love the choice of 10%/20%/30% to be introduced.

As seller, participating will likely increase the price of the models to take in account this discount, also the VAT else for a low volume seller it will be a losing proposition.

Hi everyone,

Clayguy,

1. One of the things I've mentioned was the bulk price changer - the 3D business could really do with having to increase prices a bit (as we know there are lots of undercutters), and this is what we're hoping will happen with the discount program.
2. Having an option to use and accumulate some credits to spend should cover up the increased prices - in this case it could help buyers save some money while spending it, but of course we'll monitor the situation and won't let it go out of hand.
3. There are a number of programs in ecommerce that lets buyers save something when spending something, so it's not a very uncommon practice - they will also be able to choose whether they want models with or without discounts. As I mentioned, the prices should actually get evened out - meaning both general price increase in 3D industry, and an opportunity to save some money for later purchases.

3.1. We made a little tweak regarding price offers - if the lower price offer was accepted by the seller, customer will not be able to spend credits on the item, as well as he will not receive additional credits for that purchase.

Regarding 10%/20%/30% option - it's something we definitely have in mind, and it will possibly be introduced in the near future, but we'd also like to have our buyers a bit accustomed to how the loyalty program works. Of course, that is not out of options. :)

MotoS,

We're planning to change our VAT calculating system - that would inform the buyers about VAT inclusive prices and would remove sellers from the responsibility of covering those VAT payments.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Eddie, CGTrader

@eduardas can you please tell how these virtual money is calculated for buyers? Minimal what they get is virtual 5$ for a purchase? Even if it is 5$ 3d model in basket?
And maybe you can make to users different section for this stuff to turn it off? Because i want to particle in web site events but don't want sell models with this loyalty system.
For example today, model price was 19$. Some one bought it with virtual money, and in the end my earnings was 8.04$.
I sell models for interiors, price range is average is 19-29$ per model, and 5 virtual coins is too much for my prices, so there will be always 30% discount :D

"CGTrader"
This means that with every order you get a percentage (or a minimum of 5 credits) back of the money spent.

Hi there.
I don't know how is the situation for all of you that are selling models in several websites to make a name in this industry. I'm definitely not increasing the prices only here nor everywhere because I'm losing up to the 30% of my earnings here on CGTrader and I think the most fair we can do for our costumers is to offer them the same price everywhere. A price that I've calculated carefully for all parts getting the best.
And where is the point of having the best royalties in industry when you are doing this? I must opt out of this program to avoid potentially get around 49%-56% of the price of every item in the end as well.
The only way I think this could work is implementing the 10%/20%/30% choice asap, or we the sellers are seriously in trouble with our balances because the lower income of, in theory, most kind plataform for us up to now.

I tend to agree to others, who say that discounts up to 30%, might be too big. For bigger buyers soon it may look like sales going non stop. On the other hand i have feeling that my models are mostly bought by ocassional buyers, so i shouldn't be affected that much by this BLD program.

Hi Guys, I would like to stress a few points that are usually overlooked when talking about loyalty discounts:
- 30% is the maximum that buyer can get, so every time we point to the discount we give to the buyers, we should talk about the average discount, which is lower than 30%. We will inform you about it when we gather more data.
- While discounts lower the percentage of the final income, it gives that value to the buyers, not the marketplace. And that is important distinction, when comparing with how much you give away in other marketplaces. When getting discounts for loyalty, buyers quickly realize it is very rewarding to come back and purchase again. This means that this 30% discount is working for you as an author in the most effective way. I bet we all would agree to sell a model for the 70% price and get 4 sales, rather 100% and just 1 sale.

Guys, i think i see your point about this as a means against undercutters :] Today someone bought my cheapest model presumably with loyalty discount, and the sum that reached me, was so laughably low, that immediately i wanted to rise some of my prices :/

However i have some questions, which i like to adress.

1. how should i know if sell was made though loyalty discount and if so, how big discount was used. There's no indication about that in my sales section. I think this info is important enough to be disclosed to seller.
2. i looked at the profile of buyer, who bought my model at discounted price and found, that he's registered of today and his reputation score is exactly matches the price of my sold model. If loyalty credits are given away only for bought models, how said buyer could have credits to buy my model with discount?

Hi,
How are we doing on the bulk price changer front? It was supposed to be introduced yesterday, but I cannot find this option...

Hi everyone,

The Bulk Price Changer is online now: please check your "my products" page if you wish to take care of your model pricing.

More info on how it works here:
https://www.cgtrader.com/forum/topics/my-products-page-bulk-price-changer

Cheers!

eduardas for example: valentine day discount for all products 30% will be there this loyalty program active too? 30% + loyalty program, or in events will work only one discount?

Your Bulk Price Changer have bug, i searched models by keywords and wanted change price by selecting them, but there from selected models automatically changed to all models, and now my all models are 29$ and i need them change again, but now searching witch model witch price ...

So, there will be a tool to show us how much loyalty discounts were applied to our sells?